Ruby-throated Hummingbird

"Teach us to live like Hummingbird.  Optimally, energetically, with sweetness and patience, fierceness and longevity.  When we become Hummingbird, we map the great journey and we learn to master time.  When we do this, everything, every moment becomes sacred.  If even for a moment in an otherwise hectic day you create sacred space to honor the Hummingbird within, you will notice very quickly that the journey carries more sweet seconds to it than it did before."  ~ from "Becoming Hummingbird" by Jane Galer

Rain Squalls at Sunset

The setting sun lit up rain squalls over Lake Erie this evening.

Proud Momma

This is one of the female Hummingbirds that is bringing her little ones to our flower gardens and feeders.

Fledgling Hummingbirds

There are three fledgling Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the yard today, learning to eat from the feeders.  They are still quite clumsy and cute to watch.

Checking out the Coneflower, but it doesn't have the nectar they are fond of.

The Rare Monarch Butterfly

This is the first Monarch Butterfly that I've seen this year.  Experts are saying that their numbers are down by 80% this summer because of the drought and excessive heat that occurred during the summer of 2012.  Only 60 million of them wintered in Mexico compared to the average of 350 million.  How many have you seen this summer?

The Green Flash

The elusive green sunset flash appeared this evening over Lake Erie while I watched from my back yard.  Unfortunately, I didn't catch it with the camera but it was the first time I had ever seen it.  The top rim of the sun flashed into a bright emerald green color for a brief second or two.  If you've never heard of the green flash before, here is a good article that explains the phenomenon:  http://www.universetoday.com/47607/green-flash-sunset/

The buildings visible on the horizon in this photo are in Nanticoke, Ontario.

Savannah Sparrow

The Savannah Sparrow is a southern bird that migrates north to breed in grassy areas on farms, in swamps or any place that provides them with low vegetation.

Tiger Swallowtail

Butterfly populations are very low this summer.  I was very happy to see and photograph a Tiger Swallowtail this morning.

Cumulonimbus

Cumulonimbus thunderhead clouds building in the southern sky this evening.

Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Waxing Gibbous Moon

71% of Full

Hot Summer Color

Daylily Macro

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker spread out on a branch and panting in the near ninety degree heat.

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole eating grape jelly from the feeder.

Chestnut-sided Warbler

This is one of the more common wood warblers to be found in the area around our residence.

Sunset Over Lake Erie

Common Yellowthroat Warbler

Pearl Crescent Butterfly

This tiny brush-footed butterfly has a wingspan that is less than two inches.

Clearwing Hummingbird Moths

The Hummingbird Moths made a late appearance this year but they're finally out and about!

Male Widow Skimmer Dragonfly